Improvement in horse-collars



S. D. REYNOLDS. HORSE-COLLARS.

No. 195,649, Patented Sept.25,1877

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SAMUEL D. REYNOLDS, OF ROCHELLE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE-COLLARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,649, dated September 25, 1877 application filed July 28, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL D. REYNOLDS, of Rochelle, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Collars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an .improved combined hame and collar for horses; and it consists in a novel construction of the same, as is hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of my collar. Fig. 2 shows the outer or concave side of one of the half-sections. Fig. 3 represents certain parts in detail. I

I make the combined collar and hame of cast-iron, annealed to be suitably malleable, and in two independent parts, each section of concave outer side A and convex inner side B, the object being to render the collar as light in wear as possible, and cheap in first cost of material. At the same time a further advantage is found in the peculiar fitness of this shaped collar to the neck and shoulders of a .horse. A rocking or rolling motion obtains thereby, which allows the collar to yield to side draft immaterially for either of its sectional halves, and in this way the shoulders of the animal are prevented from becoming chafed by a wearing or sliding movement of the collar sides as the latter are acted upon by unequal drafts.

As the collar is a mere shell in its metallic construct-ion, it is very light, and is readily worn by the animal, while, if desired, padding may be sewed in the concavity of the outer side. For this purpose the perforations or holes a may be used, through which to pass the stitching, though the primary importance of the openings is to make the collar light and cheap, and afford passage for the perspiration of the shoulders of the animal. The keepers O G at, respectively, the top and bottom parts of the two sections of the collars act in conjunction with the corresponding connecting-straps D D in adjusting the collar in width to the different-sized shoulders of the animals. As both of these fastenings or connections are flexible, they allow each collar-section to independently move up or down; and rock against the horse freely. This easy rolling movement of either side of the collar I regard as an important feature when taken in connection with the curved or rounded side of the collar worn next against the animal.

The lower keeper or piece 0' differs from the upper piece 0 in that it is entirely free from the collar, and is not connected to one of the shell-sections. The object is to allow it to have a perfectly free and independent movement, and to prevent the lower ends of the shells from chafing the breast of the horse as either of the collar-sections may move or rock. To adapt such an end to practical working means the lower strap D is not fastened to piece 0, as is the case with strap D and piece 0; but the strap passes easily through a loop or ring, 0, formed on the central front of piece G, and the strap is secured, respectively, to either section of the collar, thus allowing piece 0 to be independent in its movement both of the strap and the collar.

The draft-clips E engage with the bridgepieces F, respectively cast on either collarsection, and are readily connected andidisconnected therewith. The locking-piece G on the inner side of each bridge can be easily thrown up, so as to allow the draft-clip to be turned in the bridge-engaging slot, and then drawout therefrom, while, when in position over the slot, the clip is securely fastened against displacement. Rein-eyes H are connected to the collar by means of the cross-pieces h, and the entire construction of the device makes the dispensing of an independent hame practicable in use.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A combined metallic collar and hame, consisting of the two malleable-iron castings made as open shells without stuffing or filling, the same being connected together at their lower extremities by a strap engaging therewith, and the loose piece or keeper 0 adapted,

as described, to move independently of both I In testimony that I claim the foregoing I the said collar-shells and the connecting-strap, have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of substantially as described. July, 1877.

2. The combination, with the shell castings, having bridge pieces formed, respectively, SAMUEL D. REYNOLDS. thereon, of the detachable draft-clips and the latches secured on the inner sides of the bridge- Witnesses: pieces, and adapted to lock over the said draft- H. 0. ROGERS,

clips, substantially as described. D. P. NAVARRO. 

